Taylor Swift unleashed a tweet storm to announce the release at midnight ET Friday of her ninth album, evermore, the sister to folklore (both Republic).
The release will be accompanied by a music video for the song “willow.” The standard edition has 15 tracks; a deluxe version will include two additional songs.
Swift worked with the same writing/production collaborators as on folklore: Aaron Dessner, Jack Antonoff and Justin Vernon. Joining her on evermore are HAIM, Dessner's band The National and Vernon's Bon Iver.
“This holiday season will be a lonely one for most of us and if there are any of you out there who turn to music to cope with missing loved ones the way I do, this is for you," Tay tweeted.
In a Facebook post, she wrote: “To put it plainly, we just couldn’t stop writing songs. To try and put it more poetically, it feels like we were standing on the edge of the folklorian woods and had a choice: to turn and go back or to travel further into the forest of this music. We chose to wander deeper. I’ve never done this before; in the past I’ve always treated albums as one-off eras and moved onto planning the next one after an album was released. There was something different with folklore; in making it, I felt less like I was departing and more like I was returning. I loved the escapism I found in these imaginary/not imaginary tales. I loved the ways you welcomed the dreamscapes and tragedies and epic tales of love lost and found into your lives. So I just kept writing them.”
Swift, who turns 31 on Sunday, also said she’ll head into the YouTube premiere-page chat prior to midnight to answer questions. No details on that yet.
I’m elated to tell you that my 9th studio album, and folklore’s sister record, will be out tonight at midnight eastern. It’s called evermore.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 10, 2020
📷: Beth Garrabrant pic.twitter.com/xdej7AzJRW
Tonight the story continues, as the music video for “willow” drops at midnight eastern. pic.twitter.com/T3o0nsANpY
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 10, 2020
Ever since I was 13, I’ve been excited about turning 31 because it’s my lucky number backwards, which is why I wanted to surprise you with this now. You’ve all been so caring, supportive and thoughtful on my birthdays and so this time I thought I would give you something! pic.twitter.com/wATiVSTpuV
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 10, 2020
There are 15 tracks on the standard edition of evermore, but the deluxe physical edition will include two bonus tracks - “right where you left me” and “it’s time to go” ⌛️
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 10, 2020
I’ll see you guys in the YouTube premiere page chat before midnight to answer some questions 🧙♀️
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) December 10, 2020
